30K mile service questions

It would seem that most of the 30K is a lot of checks. The actual "do" items are: - oil change and pollen filter Costs range from $1500 from P-Exchange to $950 with Motorwerks and Loeber. I also discussed this with the Midwest eurosports and their 30K is $1700. The reason that the indy dealer was more expensive is because they change "all" the filters, spark plugs, brake flush, and gear oil change (I have a manual). At this point, I'm sort of torn and confused. What exactly beyond the recommended 30K should I have done on the car? It is a 2001 C2 and has 25,000 miles and I drive less than 5K a year. Would like to keep it "forever". Should I change the spark plugs/fuel filter/gear oil/etc..etc..? Last time the brake fluid was flushed was 2 years ago and since then it has seen no track time and has put on less than 10K. Thank you!

you should have the full 30k done. parts wear with age as much as time. as far as the fluids those are more impoiant5 at time as the car is driven less theres more acumulation of moistures in the fluids. brake fluis is the same thing, its changed due to moisture obsorbtion over time, should change it every 2 years

If you are paying $1K+ for a 30K you are either (a) being bent over by the dealer or (b) have work IN ADDITION to the 30K that is being done (brakes, etc.). Always, always, always, get this understood, explained, and confirmed BEFORE you just drop it off and say "do the 30K" and call me when done. If you do, then you deserve what ever they want to bend you over for. As far as your BOLDED question, what is rec'd wil differ b/t dealers and just depends on what they want to upsell you on. If they tell you that you need brakes, ask to see them BEFORE they remove them. But, once again, this is something you should be aware of BEFORE you drop it off. I once had the MB dealer tell me that the pads and rotors needed to be replaced. When I questioned it and asked to VISUALLY see it before I authorize the change they took me back and only 1 rotor was marginal and NO pads were below acceptable. The tech said that they RECCOMEND rotor replacement when they are with "x" mm of tolerance and if they replace 1 they then rec'd replacing ALL rotors and pads. Moral? Just don't be naive and you won't be taken.

And have the brake fluid flushed. Hey - what about the air filter, isn't that part of the 30K as well? Everything else, doesn't matter. That's my opinion. Now, if you really want to spend money, having the tranny fluid changed, the plugs changed, all that won't hurt the car at all. It's just overkill. Michael

i think if you look around there's a diy around here...... for 30K i don't think it's that important, but for the 60K i think that warr a little more money.....$1K psssssssh!

Shoot on over to Renntech.org Loren has a great site over there and has all the service lists Also, this is stuff that is in your manual!

O2 plugs were a 60k item, as dell said, check renntech. BTW the filters (air and pollen) are absolutely DIY. Get the parts from sunset and save even more.

60k miles or 4 years on the plugs

60K or 4 yrs only on the 01+, it is 45K miles on the 2000 and 30K on the 1999.

What, do plugs age? After 4 years they get too arthritic to spark?

As a DIY, the cost to do the 30K is under $200. For the type of use your car gets, the Plugs will be fine for the full 60K. 30K is oil change, oil, air, and pollen filter change. 2 year brake fluid change (moisture buildup in the fluid). Because of the low mileage of the car, and the low annual mileage, the biggest issue that this car may have is carbon buildup on the valves. I would recommend a bottle of fuel injector cleaner (like the Chevron brand) in the gas tank every 6 months. This will also dissolve the moisture that builds up in the gas tank over time from low usage. If your check engine light is not on, then the engine is fine. Take a look underneath the car for leaks, if there are none, then it is fine. At 60K, the only addition to the 30K is new plugs and serpentine accessory drive belt. So DIY and save quite a bit, or not.

Thanks everyone! I'd love to DIY except for 2 issues: I live in a high rise (no place to do any DIY stuff) + I am very challenged mechanically. So the in jobs are: oil job + air filter + pollen filter + brake flush + add FI cleaner would do it The out jobs are: spark plug change, gear oil change Questionable job: fuel filter change...any comments on this one? Anything else at all that is worthwhile but not overkill? I'm not surprised that the dealers are looking out for themselves with some of them plain lying ("your 2001 needs a spark plug change" - Porsche Exchange...right). I'm also somewhat surprised that the indy dealer, the most expensive one, suggested doing all the overkill stuff. He has an excellent reputation in Chicagoland from what I hear...

The fuel filter change out is a 60K item. Pass on it as well. FYI trivia: The 2001 996 was the last year of 911 with a replaceable fuel filter. From 2002 on the fuel filter is in the gas tank and is a lifetime item.

Thanks for the tip, Orient. Mr. Chicago - to answer your question why the indy would recommend so much overkill, I have this suggestion: I know you read the forum. I think you will agree that most of the 911 owners here are incredibly ****-retentive about their cars, and most perform much more maintenance than is required. This is not a bad thing (esp. for those of us who don't buy new Porsches but instead prefer to save $40K and buy them used) and I myself am often guilty of the same thing. So, knowing this, the good independent suggests the overkill maintenance schedule. Also, and this is also just conjecture, the indy is also in the business to make money. Just because he is not an official Porsche dealer does not mean that he doesn't want to make a killing on those pretentious Porsche owners and their overpriced toys. There are actually independents out there who charge as much as dealers for their work. They've got overhead too, ya know. Indy does not always mean cheap. Anyway, I'm sorry to read of your total lack of mechanical ability. Maybe a local rennlist member will be willing to let you borrow his garage and expertise for an afternoon and show you how easy it is to do much of this maintenance (if you have any interest). I know that when I lived in an apartment, I used to work on my car in the parking lot, but it was certainly frowned upon. Michael

Thanks again all. I really do appreciate the heads-up and tips (thx Orient) Michael - Thanks for setting me straight on the indy dealers. You make some good points. From a consumer point of view though, in the end, it is caveat emptor as always. Go Bears!!!!!!!!